The news that Heurelho Gomes is planning to retire from professional football has left a sad feeling not only around Vicarage Road, but around the English game.

The iconic stopper revealed in an interview with Sky Sports that he intends for this to be his final season - bringing to an end a glittering career that has seen him play for the likes of PSV Eindhoven, Tottenham, the Hornets and his national team, Brazil.

"I don't think it will be a role inside the pitch," he says. But there is a desire to stay in football. His mentoring role with Richarlison at Watford was one he enjoyed and agency work could be a solution.

"I am looking at other options, also in football, but in other roles."

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

The news of Gomes's decision was met with a sad reaction from Watford head coach Javi Gracia in his pre-match press conference this week, as he gave a glowing tribute of the Brazilian's impact both on and off the field.

"I think he's very important for us. When he plays, when he doesn't play he's supporting all of the time and for me, he's an example every day and it's a pleasure to be with him every day in training and trying to improve."

While news of Heurelho Gomes planning his retirement is sad, it's not entirely surprising.

The 37-year-old has fallen out of favour at Vicarage Road; first losing his spot to Orestis Karnezis last term before falling behind new signing Ben Foster this year.

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It was something that Gomes struggled with, and the goalkeeper has more recently taken it upon himself to help fellow Brazilian, Richarlison, to settle into life in England after making the move from Fluminese.

This support extended to helping him secure a property, buying a car, settling into day-to-day life in England and even just being someone to talk to in his native tongue.

They sound like trivial things, but when you're a newcomer to a dramatically different world, this support is invaluable.

(Image: Getty Images Europe)

Watford have taken on a new business model in recent years where they are recruiting young talent from south America - many of whom will suffer the obstacles that Richarlison and even Heurelho Gomes did when he first made the move to Europe.

While the Hornets will already have a player welfare officer in the camp, having someone of the profile of Gomes is bound to be of huge benefit to these young players - as a man who has been there and experienced the same struggles himself.

Gomes is a huge personality and a popular member of the Watford set up, and it would be a huge shame for the club to lose a favourite such as him when his playing days come to an end.

He's already shown what he can bring to the next generation of Watford stars, and perhaps this would be a mutually beneficial role to offer to the popular veteran.

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